Sacramento’s sleek new The Sawyer, a Kimpton hotel, opened in the Downtown
Commons, next to the Golden 1 Center, last fall. (The Sawyer)

The Sawyer’s third-floor open-air lounge in Sacramento’s Downtown Commons
lets you watch the bustle below, as you enjoy a cocktail and relaxing pool
vibes on high. (The Sawyer)

Sacramento’s new The Sawyer hotel has unveiled the city’s first rooftop bar
and pool. (The Sawyer)

A cable car glides past San Francisco’s landmark Fairmont Hotel, Wednesday, Sept. 27, 1995. The famous hotel atop Nob Hill will be a gathering place for the State of the World Conference, Sept. 27-Oct. 1. The conference, organized by the Gorbachev Foundation, will serve as a vehicle to bring together senior states people, current political leaders, business executives, artists, intellectuals, spiritual leaders and youth to discuss the larger vision and global principles needed to replace the vacuum created by the ending of the Cold War. (AP Photo/Eric Risberg)

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We spend most of our days hunched over screens or devices, eyes down and brains absorbed. The antidote, of course, is to get out into nature. Or if you can’t escape the urban life, head upstairs to a swanky rooftop, where starry skies meet cocktails, tasty bites and a fresh perspective. Here are some of the best tippy-top Northern California hotels where you can eat, drink and play from a rooftop perch.

Heavenly Healdsburg

The two-year-old Single Thread boutique inn is an indulgence of the first order. It’s Sonoma relaxed-meets-Japanese omotenashi, hospitality that anticipates every need. Dine at the two Michelin star restaurant and the first rounds of your 11-course tasting menu will be served on the third-floor terrace, where the scent of herbs and fruit trees waft from the restaurant’s culinary garden, sealing the deal on this epic destination. Details: Single Thread, 131 North St., Healdsburg; www.singlethreadfarms.com.

Nearby, the new Harmon Guest House, sister to the uber-green h2hotel, offers a snazzy Rooftop Terrace. Food from Spoonbar, rooftop Sunday yoga and weekly sunset happy hours complete with beats from the rooftop turntable will surely make this the place to hang. Details: Harmon Guest House, 227 Healdsburg Ave., Healdsburg; https://harmonguesthouse.com.

Napa skyline

Chef Charlie Palmer’s new restaurant and bar, Sky & Vine, has taken over the rooftop space in the downtown Archer Hotel. This sixth-floor spot offers the town’s only rooftop view, plus a Bottomless Sunday Brunch situation that puts any other buffet to shame. But you can enjoy the panoramic scenery anytime. A “reverse happy hour” Sunday through Thursday from p.m. to close sweetens the deal even more. Details: 1260 First St., Napa; archerhotel.com/napa/sky-and-vine

Sacramento splash

Sacramento’s new Sawyer hotel has unveiled the city’s first rooftop bar and pool. (The Sawyer)

If you prefer your rooftop views with a splash, Sacramento’s new The Sawyer hotel has unveiled the city’s first rooftop bar and pool. The hotel, which is part of the growing Kimpton group, is right in the heart of the hip DoCo or Downtown Commons, the urban development that houses the Sacramento Kings’ new new Golden 1 Center. The Sawyer’s third-floor open-air lounge, Revival, lets you watch the bustle below, as you enjoy a cocktail and relaxing pool vibes on high. Details: 500 J St., Sacramento; www.sawyerhotel.com.

City heights

Prefer your views with a side of baseball? Guests staying at San Francisco’s Hotel VIA in the South Beach neighborhood can take an elevator up to the 12th floor for views over to AT&T Park. Actually, from up this far, the view encompasses much more than just the Giants’ home turf. You can see the Bay Bridge, the East Bay and the South Beach Harbor, as well, from the indoor-outdoor combo space, which also offers private cabanas for lounging. Details: 138 King St., San Francisco; www.hotelviasf.com/rooftop.

Guests staying at San Francisco’s Hotel VIA enjoy ballpark, as well as bay views from the rooftop lounge. (Hotel VIA)

The historic Fairmont San Francisco atop Nob Hill may seem exclusive, but its lush, quiet rooftop garden is actually open to the public. This little-known secret is great for folks looking for a sweet lunch-hour respite, complete with Grace Cathedral views. Order sips and bites from the hotel’s Laurel Court restaurant and bar and you can enjoy them in this tranquil spot. Keep your eyes open for bees — pollinators with the poshest address around. The Fairmont Bee Sustainable program keeps nine beehives in the culinary and rooftop garden. You can taste the results in the hotel’s pastries, salad dressings, its Honey Beer series and, of course, accompanying the Fairmont’s famous afternoon tea. Details: 950 Mason St., San Francisco; www.fairmont.com/san-francisco.